Isostatic Hot Pressed W–Cu Composites with Nanosized Grain Boundaries: Microstructure, Structure and Radiation Shielding Efficiency against Gamma Rays

Abstract

The W–Cu composites with nanosized grain boundaries and high effective density were fabricated using a new fast isostatic hot pressing method. A significantly faster method was proposed for the formation of W–Cu composites in comparison to the traditional ones. The influence of both the high temperature and pressure conditions on the microstructure, structure, chemical composition, and density values were observed. It has been shown that W–Cu samples have a polycrystalline well-packed microstructure. The copper performs the function of a matrix that surrounds the tungsten grains. The W–Cu composites have mixed bcc-W (sp. gr. Im3m) and fcc-Cu (sp. gr. Fm3m) phases. The W crystallite sizes vary from 107 to 175 nm depending on the sintering conditions. The optimal sintering regimes of the W–Cu composites with the highest density value of 16.37 g/cm3 were determined. Tungsten–copper composites with thicknesses of 0.06–0.27 cm have been fabricated for the radiation protection efficiency investigation against gamma rays. It has been shown that W–Cu samples have a high shielding efficiency from gamma radiation in the 0.276–1.25 MeV range of energies, which makes them excellent candidates as materials for radiation protection.

The Interrelation of Synthesis Conditions and Wettability Properties of the Porous Anodic Alumina Membranes

“…The graphic editor “Image J” (Wayne Rasband (NIH), Kensington, MD, USA) was also used to examine the SEM pictures. The conventional technique described in detail in [ 54 , 55 ] was used to perform the pore size statistical analysis. For at least three SEM pictures, pore sizes were measured using the software “SmartSEM.” The porosity was estimated using custom software that analyzed the SEM images and then provided porosity contrast images.…”

Effect of Grain Refinement on the Comprehensive Mechanical Performance of W–Cu Composites

“…Therefore, both wear resistance and high-temperature characteristic are essential indicators for high-end applications of W–Cu composites [ 14 ]. However, most studies to date have mainly focused on investigating the hardness and strength of W–Cu composites at room temperature [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. For the enhancement of wear resistance and high-temperature strength of W–Cu composites, grain refinement and second-phase strengthening are commonly used methods [ 22 , 23 ].…”

First principles calculation to investigate the effect of Mn substitution on Cu site in CeCu3−xMnxV4O12 (x = 0, 1, 2 and 3) system

“…CaCu 3 Mn 4 O 12 (ref. [19][20][21][22] which is semiconducting, may be transformed into metal by replacing the Ca atoms with La or Bi atoms, 10,11 demonstrating the intriguing consequences seen for A-site replacements in these perovskites.…”